I really enjoyed this book. I love a period drama anyway but this felt different in that Evelyn was not going to lay down and accept the hand that had been dealt her. She was not afraid, even as a Baron's daughter, to work and set about improving her life herself instead of looking to marriage to rescue herself. I thought the variety of characters was great, from Morton to the friends she makes unexpectedly on her walks through York. It was great to read about her building her life for herself amidst the car crash that was her father. He was quite infuriating so it was reassuring to see even her mother realise what an awful man he was! All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read and would definitely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and HarpercollinsUK for the ARC copy!

This book was interesting for me as it was the first time I read something that wasn't present or in the future, it took me awhile to get into it because of it as the language, mention of women working etc was appropiate for this time era.

Evelyn's family infuriated me the entire book honestly, manipulative and blindsighted mother. ABSOLUTELY living for the aunt though, she was my favorite side character out of them all.

Will was such a grumpy sweet heart and I did enjoy the ending much more than I expected.

But with this, I'm giving it a 3.5/5 stars, mainly from my own taste that I found the plot lacklustered, it was bad communication between the characters mainly (but it's still warranted as family respect etc so I understand why but I struggle with this in books in general) and the last few chapters when they kept going around eachother drove me nuts.

Editor notes: There are many places in the book using the justified editing field that drags big spaces between the words, I think it would also be easier to read the conversations between the people if it was breaking down with space on the pages as I found myself re-reading at times to figure out who said what.

This isn’t a genre I would normally choose but I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Not only were the lead characters captivating, but so were the supporting characters, especially Jack and Naomi. Following Evelyn find herself and in turn help her mother do the same was enjoyable and I would read more from this author.

3.5 stars rounded up.
With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the arc
Historical romance is not a genre I’m normally drawn to, but this was described as being set in a bookshop and the plot sounded intriguing so…
I thought this was a fairly low-stakes, enjoyable read. It tries to do too many things (dealing with class/class mobility, and race for example) and loses it’s grip on most of them in the process, but if you ignore those attempts at serious social commentary and just take it at face value as a light-hearted ‘enemies to lovers’ type of scenario, then it’s a fun, quick read. The writing style is good, though better editing could have made it tighter and closed some of those plot holes that other reviewers have mentioned. I would have liked the titular bookshop to have featured more, and for the suggestion of the store being magical (that was hinted at in the beginning of the book) to be developed more - it’s like the author started with the idea but then got so carried away with the romance part of the plot she just shelved the ‘magical bookshop’ theme.
A solid effort.

The Lamplight's Bookshop by Sophie Austin.
3.5 stars.

Set in York in the late 19th Century, this is a story following Evelyn as she navigates a big change in lifestyle. She starts working in a bookshop where she meets William, an aspiring writer recently back from living in London.

I enjoyed this book, the main storyline was good. I would have liked a bit more fleshing out of the more minor plot points, such as more background to what happened with Lady Violet. That felt a bit rushed at the end.

The characters all have secrets from each other which built tension well throughout the book but my goodness did I want the characters to have a good conversation and sort out their problems sooner! Then we could have had more time seeing the relationships develop which I felt would have been nice.

Overall I liked the historical fiction side of it but it needed a bit more detail to some of the plot points.

As a big fan of historical fiction, the comparison to two other excellent books in the write up, the title and the lovely cover, I was really looking forward to reading and reviewing this debut novel. The book started well, I liked the bookshop description and hoped the author would develop the ‘magical’ side of it that was hinted, but unfortunately this did not happen and the plot developed into a very predictable romance and ending. Other readers will enjoy this easy to read book, but not one for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

I enjoyed this story of class, betrayal, false appearances and love. When the bailiffs come to Evelyn's home to collect possessions to cover her father’s debts, Evelyn and her mother are forced to move to York and live her great aunt Clara, who is an interesting character as well. Along the way, Evelyn learns to make her way in the world, not rely on her father and to realise that she has choices. There was a diverse cast of characters, a delightfully quirky bookshop and gentle story that life is what you make of it. I look forward to reading this author’s next book. Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book..

If you are looking for an easy read with a romantic twist, then consider "The Lamplighter's Bookshop" by Sophie Austin. Set at the end of the 19th Century, this book is a light historical fiction read. More character based, you get involved with the lives surrounding the bookshop. I'd happily read another book by the author.

Set in York in Victorian England, the author paints a picture of Society of that time and the huge difference between the upper and working classes. Evelyn has been brought up as gentry, but when her father loses his money and their home, they find they are snubbed by their so called friends.

An interesting debut novel, I liked the premise of a woman like Evelyn doing everything she can to help her mother survive the disgrace of her husband’s actions and of Evelyn’s growing relationship with William. Nicely paced and written, I’ll certainly look out for,the authors next book.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I very rarely read books set in the past but the detail in the email sent to me was appealing and I liked how the book flowed. I liked the characters and how they gelled together. It is a beautiful read and I can well recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a great story. My only slight criticism is that I wanted the bookshop itself to have a bigger character part, I feel that was overlooked. Really loved it though.

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a historical romance set in late 19th-century York, following main character Evelyn, a strong and resilient young girl within high society whose life gets turned upside down in a matter of minutes. Determined to make a better life for her and her mother, she gets herself a job at a bookshop, where she finds herself falling in love with aspiring writer William Morton, who lives somewhat of a pretend life. The story brings up realistic topics of abandonment, pressure to succeed, and the fear of being shunned by society back in the late 1800s.

This is a different style of historical fiction for me, but I really enjoyed the read. I loved the beginning of the book, you get to know the characters quite well, which allowed me to resonate and sympathise with their emotions throughout. I do feel that the story was quite fast paced and there were some scenes I felt deserved more pages, more detail and more emotion, but I think this was due to the 4 different plots going on at the same time.
Personally for me, I would have loved more detail in the drama with Lady Violet, rather than the other love story between Jack and Naomi, as we already have one love story happening.

I rate this 3.75 stars rounded up to 4. The writing and attention to detail regarding setting was great, character development was nicely written, and the general storyline is unique.

This is a mesmerizing tale of secrets, resilience, and unexpected connections, set against the evocative backdrop of a shadowy, forgotten bookshop in York. The story follows Evelyn Seaton, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a police visit upends her world, forcing her to confront family losses and societal expectations.

Evelyn’s journey to rebuild her life leads her to a job at the mysterious Lamplighter’s Bookshop, where she encounters William Morton, an aspiring writer harboring his own hidden past. Their relationship unfolds tenderly amidst the dusty bookshelves, as both grapple with vulnerabilities and slowly dismantle the walls they’ve built around their hearts.

Austin’s prose deftly captures the historical atmosphere and emotional depth of the story, creating a rich tapestry of heartbreak, resilience, and hope. The characters are complex and compelling, particularly Evelyn, whose strength and determination shine throughout.

This blend of historical fiction and romance feels both timeless and refreshing, drawing readers into a world where every book tells a story and every heart holds a secret. The narrative's mix of mystery and emotional discovery makes it an engrossing read for those who love stories about self-discovery and love found in unexpected places.

This is a beautifully written, heartwarming novel that will captivate fans of historical fiction and romantic tales with a touch of mystery.

A romantic historical fiction. This was a real cover choice for me. I found it hard to keep up with the characters and struggled with this book. Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy

Evelyn Seaton is from an aristocratic family but is forced on her journey to find herself . Finding herself at her Aunt Clara’s she seeks a position at The Lamplighter’s Bookshop in York she acquires an assistant position here on answering the advertisement.Here she meets aspiring writer William Morton.They both have their secrets but when hers come crumbling down ,it’s William that she’s found.to turn to. A profound story set at the end of an era 1800’s into the new century 1900 Victorian England . There’s a lot of merits to this story and I like what the authors have given us . There is however room for expansion and exploration.

I wasn’t expecting this book to be a Victorian romance the title didn’t give me that impression I wouldn’t normally read historical novels but I was very surprised with this one and really enjoyed it throughout The two main characters Evelyn and William came to life for me whilst I was reading their story Thankyou to net galley and the publishers for enabling to read this early .

I really loved this book and the character of Evelyn. A late night knock at the door from the Police changes Evelyn’s life in ways she never would have thought. The short comings of her Father resulting in losing her family home young Evelyn’s world is rocked and from that brings strength and resilience. Moving to her elderly Aunts with her mother and 2 suitcases the fall from society is a shock to Evelyn but it was a place she never really fitted anyway. A late night encounter with a man in a fight over a carriage comes back into her world in an unexpected way and their worlds just seem to collide together. Many barriers are over come but love and honesty win out. Beautiful read with excellent captivating storyline and characters.

What a wonderful story…..devoured it in one day! can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story? I love this genre and found this to be one of the best books I have read in a while. I was kept guessing throughout, never quite sure which way the story would go until the end. Absolutely brilliant read

I really enjoyed this book about Evelynn who falls on hard times in 19th Century York. She is forced to move from her home with her mother to her aunt's house when her farther leaves them behind to work in London. Evelynn finds herself a job in a bookshop but is soon embroiled with the owners nephew who, for his own reasons, needs the job too. This results in a roller coaster relationship for Evelynn and Will. I enjoyed the characters although the end is perhaps a little predictable. Nice easy read though and one I would recommend. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

What a lovely storyline, lovely characters a good strong book that kept me reading when I should have been sleeping ! Will look for more by this author.
My thanks as always to Netgalley and to the Publisher HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins for the excellent early read